Though North Vallejo Little League hopes for a better future following a recent non-injury shooting near its Thurman Field, volunteer Darnell Jones reached back to the past as a morale booster.

"The Perfect Game," a 2009 film based on the true story of the 1957 Little League World Series Champion team from Mexico, will be screened as a "private party" for the NVLL players and parents at 6:45 p.m. today at the Empress

Theatre.

"The general story shows that no matter what generation you are, there are problems you'll have to overcome and you do what you have to do," Jones said.

Empress manager Don Bassey, a former North Vallejo Little League coach, heard from Jones while league play was temporarily suspended after the April 16 shooting between two males in a parking lot near Thurman Field.

Though the NVLL resumed play this past Monday, it was decided by involved parties that the movie would be

inspiring.

"We decided to have a party for the players anyway,"

Bassey said.

The movie's tab is picked up by CC and Amber Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation, said Jones, who originally wanted the Jackie Robinson film, "42." Distribution rights, however, belong to the Century Theatre.

"We couldn't show '42' but we still wanted to show a baseball movie," Bassey said.

Though Jones said he's working on getting the young players to the Robinson film, he's happy the Empress can host "The Perfect Game."

"After everything what went on (the shooting), we're trying to do our part," said Jones, who was familiar with "The

Perfect Game."

"This movie came quick to mind. I'd seen it before and liked the basic story,"

Jones said.

To avoid a rush at the door for the free event, Jones is distributing special tickets to NVLL players and parents only.

NVLL President Greg Reason told the Times-Herald last Saturday that he believes the 49-year-old league is united and will move on.

"Everyone has strengthened our resolve on how we behave during our games. We got a renewed commitment from everybody," he said.

Reason said the family involved in the incident has since voluntarily withdrawn from the league.

"It's unfortunate for the child (who's a league member)," he said. "But it had to happen."

The 24-year-old shooter of Vallejo was taken into custody April 24 in Richmond and booked into Solano County.